Using a Plasma Cutter - Kevin Caron

[somedudeinva]

Were you really doing that with no eye protection?

[kevincaron]

@somedudeinva Yeah, I was younger and stupider back then...

[MrMldillman]

Just doing some metal-shop homework Kevin and found this ole video...Thanks for this information about the plasma cutter! See you again soon.

[kevincaron]

@MrMldillman Stop by anytime.

Don't forget to check out my website for the rest of my work. Lots to see over there also.

[maxspl153]

looks so much more user friendly and easy compared to my jig saw

[kevincaron]

@maxspl153 Yes, it most certainly is!

[maxspl153]

@kevincaron do you need a huge air compressor to run one ? im going to be doing a solid axle conversion on my suburban and am thinking of getting one , but i only have twin 24 gallon dewalt tanks .

[kevincaron]

@maxspl153 Should be able to run a smaller one just fine. I was using a roofing compressor for a long time. Just look for the lowest cfm usage you can find. Don't forget to check the voltage required also. Some run on both 110 and 220.

[maxspl153]

@kevincaron thank you for the info ! it will make a fine addition to the garage :)

[ThePinkqueen9]

i didnt know you can move annotations

[kevincaron]

@ThePinkqueen9  Well now you do.

Thanks for posting.

[FreakyBow]

Thought I was gonna see Isaac Clarke killing aliens but this is cool too

[kevincaron]

@FreakyBow Isaac Clarke????

Killing aliens?????

Sorry, I am getting older I guess.......

[FreakyBow]

@kevincaron You know :P Dead Space, the game :3?

[TheWhiteguy89]

@kevincaron its a reference to a video game lol its called Dead Space.. the main character is Isaac Clarke and his main weapon is a plasma cutter

[kevincaron]

@mike20111111

Please take your spam elsewhere!!

[nvr4saken]

hi kevin. i just picked up a small plasma torch. it can use nitrogen or compressed air. i was wondering which of the two you use and do you have a preference? i havent set it up yet so im looking for any kind of direction since im new to this. thank you.

[kevincaron]

@nvr4saken Mine will run on bottled gas also. I just use clean dry air from the compressor to keep the cost down. If I was going to cut anything other than steel I would change it over to the correct gas for that job.

Thanks for posting.

[chandru1103]

see I wanna build large sculptures and such. what is the thickest metal this thing can do?

[chandru1103]

@chandru1103 and can you cut abstract patterns into the metal with that? detailed, intricate patterns?

[kevincaron]

@chandru1103 Your imagination is the limit here. Anything you can draw on the steel or just go for it free hand. They have computer aided cutting tables also. You design something with the computer and it tells the table what to cut and where. I am sure there are limits to this but I have never played with one.

[kevincaron]

@chandru1103 This machine will cut up to 1/2 inch. Bigger machines will cut up around 1" to 1 -1/2 ".

[JMFC041]

@chandru1103 Actually very large models ( very expensive) can cut as much as 10 inches thick is the most i have seen

[kevincaron]

@JMFC041 10 inches!!!! Off to the internet I go. Where's my credit card?

[ibleed1]

@JMFC041 10 inches - BULLSHIT! Prove it and i'll eat my own leg.

[chizzy555]

plasma cutting in a teeshirt, no helmet, etc.. wow..

[kevincaron]

@chizzy555 working in my own shop at 100 plus degrees. Welcome to Arizona!

[chizzy555]

@kevincaron im surprised there is any sort of welding work left in Arizona, surprised it aint all been given to illegals that steal the jobs and as a result lower the quality and pay of jobs in the area

[kevincaron]

@chizzy555 There are very few left. That is why I work for myself. Before this I was a Semi- truck driver. Got tired of putting up with the other drivers around here and got away from that. Started feeling very "Road Rage" ish. and decided it was time to find something more calming. Like pounding on hot metal on an anvil.

[chizzy555]

@kevincaron ya, most people just dunno how to drive, drive like a bunch of wild animal children, i can barely tolerate driving to work and such, so many random idiots on the road

[kevincaron]

@daviejones92fb9 I must be slipping .

What are you trying to say here??

[theplasmagrl]

Hi Kevin. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. It's great. I was wondering about your "training wheels". I've been trying to come up with my own design for something just like that to help with steadiness. Did you make those yourself or is there somewhere to buy them? We have a Hobart 500i. Thank you!

[calikidtah]

wow u have a very steady hand dude im in high skool and we have a cnc plasma cutter there but we have a table on it that allows us to type wat we need and how the cut paths should start i would like to see how the project that u are working on turns out

[kevincaron]

@calikidtah Thanks for the kind words! If you want to see what I was working on just come over to my site.

Look for Calyx. That is the piece I was working on for that video.

Thanks for posting and look around on my site when you get the chance. Lots to see over there also.

[Jerbob1]

Hi Kevin,

Would you compare a nibbler against a plasma cutter? Thanks.

[kevincaron]

@Jerbob1 No comparison at all. I have a 10 ga. nibbler and it has been a very disappointing purchase. The punch and die only last about 20 minutes of work. Even with LOTS of oil on the metal. I have broken several dies because they go dull and then the punch will put so much pressure on the die it snaps. At $55.00 each that can get really nasty on a big job.

The plasma will just keep on cutting. Replacement parts for the plasma run about $15.00, and last for days of hard use.

[Jerbob1]

Thanks, Kevin. You just saved me a trip and a purchase! I watched a demo for Trumpf nibblers--about $750--and they looked like the answer to a metal working dream. I noticed that they made no mention of how fast the tool consumes the consumables! Best regards.

[Jerbob1]

I dialed down the pressure to stop some of the high-pitched whistling. I'll increase it and see how it works to remove the slag from the top. Also readjusted the roller height to 1/16 of an inch. Thanks for your great tips, Kevin.

[Jerbob1]

I tried it and I can still see! Yay! Smoothest lines I've cut so far. Now if I can just get the tip of the torch from dragging on the bumps of slag. Always something. Thanks Kevin.

[kevincaron]

@Jerbob1 Glad it works for you also! Just be careful to keep your head and eyes over the torch handle. NEVER look to the side of the torch to see where you are going. I do not understand why you have slag to go over on the top of the metal. Are you running the right air pressure? Make sure the gap between the tip and the metal is less than 1/8 inch. That should help.

[Jerbob1]

Hi Kevin,

I notice you don't use any eye shade while you're cutting. I've been trying to use the wheel apparatus with my plasma cutter and I can't see the white line with my Shade 5 lens. I'd prefer to not use the shade. Justification for no using it, other than you can see better? Thanks for all your great tips!

[kevincaron]

@Jerbob1 HI Jer.

Yeah, that is the only reason I did not wear shades. I just can not see the line. I feel I am safe using the training wheels with the collar that goes on the torch. It blocks the light from my eyes. If I am not using the wheels you can bet for sure I will be wearing the shades.

Thanks for posting, check back when you can. I update about once a week

[arnold02000]

Neat stuff you're doing. I have a Hyperthern 380max too. I built a pantograph for mine so I can replicate complex patterns. I haven't tried it yet but can't wait to. I also series wired a foot pedal into my 380 so I can switch it on while keeping my hands free to follow a line pattern with the stylus. Poor man's cnc plasma cutter I guess you could call it.

[kevincaron]

What a great idea!!!! I sure love my 380. It has been a real work horse for me. The only time it let me down was when I cut the lead on a hot cut and had an arc to the metal. Made my hair stand on end.. !!!!

[arnold02000]

Thanks. I would like to get a video of the pantograph posted in the near future. Keep up the good work. I like the use of your rollers too. I should make a set of those. It sure beats the drag, stick, and swear method I use.

[patriciaketchup]

man i would love to have those guide wheels i have to go free hand im in high school, but i do pretty good though but i still would love to see how much straighter it would be with that guide

[sandmaster7]

i love this video lol im in high skoo learning metal 1-2 its fun tho i suck with the oxy torch it keeps popping on me and do the loud whistling thing i have to rush and turn off everything lol

[kevincaron]

Thanks! When you are using the O/A torch try not opening the valves so much. I think you will find it does not whistle so bad.

[6figureaffiliate]

Do you need a special gogle for plasma cutting? What do you recommend.

Thanks

[kevincaron]

You should wear a dark lens like for A/O cutting. Something darker than sunglasses. I am not wearing them here because with the wheel attachment all the bright light is under the metal. If I was cutting free hand I be wearing cutting glasses. About a shade 5 or 6 works best for me. You can get them at any welding store or even Home Depot.

[lynel1985]

ill second the quality of those clamps. Just brought my first to replace a broken one but will buy 2 more to replace the other 2 i have, they are just that good. They arent even space age but there is smoething that makes there handling and practicality when using 1 hand just that much better then a tradition clamp

[kevincaron]

Now if they would just make a deeper reach so you can get to the middle of the work!!!

[kevincaron]

Good question! Hypertherm 380Max

Did you check out the new video where we opened it up?

[chasenbb]

what brand and model is the plasma cutter?